MIT’s Amy Glasmeier, Professor of Economic Geography and Regional Planning in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and co-chair of the Energy Education Task Force, received a Distinguished Scholarship Honors from the Association of American Geographers (AAG) at the Association’s annual meeting on April 12, 2014. Glasmeier was among nine individuals who received recognition from the AAG for their contributions to the advancement or welfare of geography.

UrbanAfrica, a student organization in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT, has launched a new website, accessible here. The purpose of UrbanAfrica is to explore the complexity of urban development in African cities and discuss strategies for engagement. Thr group is constituted as a space to explore research and practice-based interests, generate academic discussion, and elevate the analysis of African cities within DUSP and MIT more broadly.

On Nov. 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines. Winds reaching nearly 200 mph battered the city of Tacloban and the surrounding areas, creating 16-foot waves that swept away homes, people, and livelihoods. It quickly became the country’s deadliest natural disaster on record: More than 6,000 people died, and nearly 2,000 went missing. The damage was estimated at $1.5 billion.

The MIT Community Innovator's Lab (CoLab) and Development Lab (D-Lab) are engaged in a long-term waste management project in Central America, led by CoLab Program Director of Global Sustainability Partnerships Libby McDonald. From Mexico to Panama, Libby and her students are helping low-income communities create sustainable waste management businesses and connect their communities through a zero waste supply chain. This

On April 10, 2014, MIT's Center for Advanced Urbanism kicked off its Spring 2014 Symposium, on the topic of "Scaling Infrastructure." Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago and former White House Chief of Staff for President Obama, gave the keynote address and a Q&A session moderated by DUSP professor Judy Layzer.

MIT has recently named Dr. Calestous Juma as a DUSP MLK Visiting Professor for 2014-2015. Professor Juma is an internationally recognized authority on the application of science and technology to sustainable development. He was named one of the most influential 100 Africans in 2012 and 2013 by the New African magazine.